Absent a majority property-owner protest to the rate hike, the five-member council voted unanimously to approve fee increases of $1.60 to $2.22 a month, bringing an average bi-monthly billing to nearly $50.

Before the vote, three residents spoke against the rate hike, including Margaret Dodson, who objected to the amount going to the town as a franchise fee and passed on in billing to ratepayers. However, Gracie Atwood said the increased price of service is “a bargain.”

“We’re working to handle organics, including food waste,” Richard Nino, Burrtec’s director of municipal services, said when asked about progressive yard-waste collection programs. He said that is one action to help alleviate landfill capacity challenges when conducted along with other environmentally friendly practices.

“Burying trash will become a thing of the past,” he said.

Nino said rates should remain fairly stable for the short term, for 2015-16, when a contract with San Bernardino County will expire. But raises might be expected for the years 2016-18.

As an efficiency consideration, Mayor Art Bishop said some residents have smaller trash bins than they are entitled to and can request 60-gallon trash containers.

Gary Brodeur may be contacted at 760-951-6245 or gbrodeur@vvdailypress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_gbrodeur.